Sidhu sets parallel bureau in the local body department

Chandigarh(Narinder Jagga): A parallel bureau is functioning in the Local Body Department. Sources revealed that this office reportedly checks each and every file sent by the government to the department and decides on its own. But the files are signed by senior officers of the department as official formality, only. Amar Singh, adviser to local body minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, runs this office, for which he has also given a separate and elegant office in the Municipal building, in Chandigarh. Only after being considered themselves as a puppet, senior officers are getting transfer from this department.On October 17, when checks were to be distributed by Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, the Local Body Department Minister Sidhu’s Advisor Amar Singh was the subject of discussion. Two chairs were unofficially reserved around the Chair of CM; one was for Minister Sidhu and other for his advisor Amar Singh. Minister Sadhu Singh Dharmoshot also came in the function. When Amar Singh wanted to leave his chair, Sidhu indicated him not to leave the chair. For some time, the minister Dharmsot had to wait for chair. After intervene by the senior of CMO, Amar Singh had to leave the chair, but he was given chair adjoining the Minister Dharmsot, second after the CM.After the change of guard in the state, the Local body department in controversies. In the Department, Additional Chief Secretary Satish Chandra was replaced by DP Reddy in the beginning of this government. But soon, DP Reddy was replaced by Satish Chandra. Satish Chandra was the choice of Sidhu. But sources say that interference of Minister’s advisor Amar Singh has been made the job tough for the officers. Amar Singh is a retired bureaucrat and looser of 2017 Punjab assembly election from Raikot of Ludhiana. Known as a close of Sidhu, when former was in BJP, the action had been taken against the Engineers of local body on the hidden behest of some BJP leaders. Sources told that Additional Chief Secretary Satish Chandra had opposed this action. But after getting stay by the Engineers from the High Court, the position of the Minister was ridiculous. But rift had been created between the Minister’s advisor and Satish Chandra. Sources disclosed that Minister Sidhu had to approach to CM for the transfer of Satish Chandra. Sources also revealed that Satish Chandra himself approached for his transfer from local body department to any other department. Director of the department KK Yadav is also on vacation for a few days. While Additional Director Hargunjit Kaur was on leave for last several days. There were also speculations for his vacations in the department. Two days earlier she was transferred from the local body. Sources told that she was trying for her transfer.Interestingly, crying himself as honest, Navjot Siingh Sidhu has given a free hand to his advisor for not taking action against any congressmen, although they are indulged in corruption allegations. Despite the orders, the advisor allegedly has suppressed the corruption case of a Congress leader who is involved in the embezzlement of community centre of Morinda. According to the information, no official is ready to join in the local body department on his or her own will. But bound into rules, no one is ready to speak, publicly.According to internal sources of the department, Minister goes to sign the files only after the checking by the advisor Amar Singh. After the all decision, senior officers have been asked to put their sign as official formality.Sources tell that what to do and which action has been taken against anybody, this all is decided by the Amar Singh. Such a policy has also created rift between Minister and Chief Secretary. As a version, office of the Sidhu clears it that the transfers and opinion are the prerogative of Government. When contacted to Amar Singh, Advisor to Sidhu, he told that it is in the privilege and wish of the minister that he wants to do this work from whom.